The mission of the Florida Photonics Cluster (FPC) is to support the growth and profitability of the photonics industry through the
strength of a unified voice and to make Florida the place to go for photonics solutions. The driving forces of the FPC
are networking opportunities with industry peers, an expansive resource base, and an educational community focused on industry input
for curriculum development. The FPC is a 501c(6) not-for-profit corporation.

The FPC is dedicated to enhancing the industry through effective collaboration by bringing together the knowledge, expertise,
and service that each member company or organization has to offer.

I am honored to serve in the role of President of the Florida Photonics Cluster (FPC). I am in awe of all the notable contributions of
so many in the FPC who have helped grow and expand the optics and photonics industry in Florida and we are just getting started!
Our past President Dr. Alex Fong and Executive Director Dr. James Pearson have been instrumental in leading FPC for over a decade,
working closely with the FPC officers and Board of Directors. The FPC leadership have helped shape and grow the FPC and our Florida
representation of photonics not only in the US, but around the world.

Local Florida innovation, research, and high–tech manufacturing continue to fuel the Floridian economy and are leading our great
state to become a world–leading high–tech hub. Photonics is and will continue to play a vital role in this future growth and will be
crucial for creating sustainable economic development of our state for years to come.Success stories of Floridian photonics companies
will continue to attract new high-tech startups, manufacturing facilities, technology centers, and outside investments to the state and
will play a vital role for new job creation and the overall prosperity of our local economy.

Exciting times are ahead for the worldwide photonics industry and I look forward to our future endeavors to make Florida the place to go for photonics solutions.

The Florida Photonics Cluster was the vision of Bill Schwartz. Bill is best known as president and chief executive officer of Schwartz Electro-Optics, a company he founded in 1983. Often referred to as the true pioneer of Florida’s laser industry, laser research groups or companieshe led have been the source of 15 of Orlando, Florida’s 40 laser companies and organizations.

Bill headed up laser research, development, and production programs at Lockheed Martin’s Orlando division before founding International Laser Systems (ILS) in 1968. He was president and CEO of ILS for 15 years until it was purchased by Litton and renamed Litton Laser Systems in 1983. He then founded Schwartz Electro-Optics.

Bill Schwartz passed away in 2000, but his vision for the future of photonics lives on through the FPC.

What's New?

Visit us at the Florida photonics cluster pavilion at CLEO-2019 in San Jose, CA (Expo 7-9 May 2019).
See full floor layout for the CLEO Expo here

Next FPC members meeting:3:30 pm May 16 at the UCF Business Incubator, 3259 Progress Drive, Orlando with presentations on U. S. Army Futures Command,
and Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division
and a tour of nearby facilities.

For the latest new product announcements from FPC member companies, click on "Industry Announcements". For the latest general photonics news, press releases, and other announcements, click on Read Blog and sign up. Feel free to post a comment or ask a question on the Blog.

The FPC

The FPC is a 501c(6) not-for-profit corporation per the IRS and is registered with the Florida Department of State Division of Corporations. Tthe Employer ID number (EIN), assigned by the State of Florida for the FPC, it is 593352840. Because the FPC is a trade organization, 501c(6) in the IRS classification, donations (including dues) are not deductible as a charitable donation. They may be deductible as a business expense, but you will need to consult with a tax advisor to determine this for your company.